Interactive game system and method of operation for same

ABSTRACT

An interactive game system for implementing an interactive game in a room. The interactive game system comprises: a motion sensing module, a control unit, a projection module and a lighting module. The motion sensing module senses movement of a real-wold element and surface interaction data representative of a contact between the real-world element and an interactive surface is generated therefrom. The control unit generates graphic instructions and lighting instructions based on the surface interaction data, in accordance with an implementation of a gameplay of the interactive game. The projection module receives the graphic instructions from the control unit and projects graphics on the interactive surface in accordance therewith. The lighting module receives the lighting instructions from the control unit and performs illumination of a section of the room distinct from the interactive surface in accordance therewith.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35USC§ 119(e) of U.S. provisionalpatent application 62/625,561 filed on Feb. 2, 2018, the specificationof which being hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of interactive games. Moreparticularly, it relates to an interactive game system which allows aroom, or a large portion of a room, to be used as a setup for aninteractive game, including at least one section of a wall being used asan interactive surface in the interactive game, and a method ofoperation for same.

BACKGROUND

There is known in the art touch display interactive game systems inwhich user interactions with a display device such as a screen (e.g.touch screen interactions) are being used as user inputs in the gameplayed by the user (or group of users), with the output of the gamebeing graphics being displayed on the display device and/or sound playedon speakers.

There is also known in the art interactive game systems in which motionsensors detect the movements of a user (or a group of users) and use thedetected movements as input in the game played by a user (or a group ofusers) with, once again, the output being graphics being displayed onthe display device and/or sound played on speakers. For example, andwithout being limitative, the KinectlM motion sensor is a motion sensinginput device enabling a user (or a group of users) to control and/orinteract with a game console, computer, or the like, using movements ofthe user (or group of users) as input rather than (or in combinationwith) other conventional input methods or devices such as, for example,a conventional game controller.

Known interactive game systems incorporating the above-described touchdisplay detecting the user interaction with a display device or themotion sensor detecting the movement of the user (or group of users) andusing the user interaction with the display device or the movements ofthe user (or group of users) as input in the game played by the user (orgroup of users) however commonly suffer from several drawbacks. Forexample, such game systems often offer limited immersivity, as the userinteractions are limited to output being provided by a game enginethrough display of graphics on a display device and/or coordinated soundbeing played on speakers. Therefore, such systems are conventionallyunsatisfactory for large scale interactive game systems which allow aroom, or a large portion of a room, to be used as a setup for aninteractive game, where additional outputs are required to provide animmersive user experience.

In view of the above, there is a need for an improved interactive gamesystem and method of operation thereof which would be able to overcome,or at least minimize, some of the above-discussed prior art concerns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first general aspect, there is provided aninteractive game system for implementing an interactive game in a roomof a building. The interactive game system comprises: a motion sensingmodule, a control unit in data communication with the motion sensingmodule, a projection module in data communication with the control unitand a lighting module in data communication with the control unit. Themotion sensing module senses movement of a real-wold element within amotion sensor field of view intersecting with an interactive surfaceincluding a plane extending substantially along at least a portion of awall of the room of the building and surface interaction datarepresentative of a contact between the real-world element and theinteractive surface being are generated from the sensed movement of thereal-wold element. The control unit is configured to process the surfaceinteraction data and to generate graphic instructions and lightinginstructions, in accordance with an implementation of a gameplay of theinteractive game. The projection module receives the graphicinstructions from the control unit, with the graphic instructions beinggenerated based on the processed surface interaction data. Theprojection module projects graphics on the interactive surface accordingto the graphic instructions received from the control unit. The lightingmodule receives the lighting instructions from the control unit andperforms illumination of a section of the room distinct from theinteractive surface, according to the lighting instruction received fromthe control unit.

In an embodiment, the lighting instructions are generated based on thesurface interaction data and the graphics projected by the projectionmodule and the lighting performed by the lighting module are coordinatedin accordance with the implementation of the gameplay of the interactivegame.

In an embodiment, the interactive game system further comprises a soundmodule in data communication with the control unit and receivingacoustic instructions therefrom, the sound module playing soundsaccording to the acoustic instructions received from the control unit.

In an embodiment, the acoustic instructions are generated based on thesurface interaction data, the sounds played by the sound module and thegraphics projected by the projection module being coordinated inaccordance with the implementation of the gameplay of the interactivegame.

In an embodiment, the lighting module comprises a plurality of stagelighting instruments operating independently to illuminate the desiredsection of the room.

In an embodiment, the lighting module comprises a DMX controller and thelighting module controls the plurality of stage lighting instrumentsusing a DMX lighting control protocol.

In an embodiment, the plurality of stage lighting instruments includes acombination of moving light fixtures and static light fixtures.

In an embodiment, the control unit comprises a memory and a processor,with the control unit having a game engine stored in the memory andconfigured to implement a predetermined gameplay, based on userinteractions defined by the surface interaction data, the game enginegenerating the graphic instructions and the lighting instructions.

In accordance with another general aspect, there is also provided aninteractive game system for implementing an interactive game in a roomhaving a wall and a floor. The interactive game system comprises: amotion sensing module, a control unit in data communication with themotion sensing module, a projection module in data communication withthe control unit and a lighting module in data communication with thecontrol unit. The motion sensing module includes at least one motionsensor having a motion sensor field of view intersecting with aninteractive surface extending substantially along a section of the wallof the room. The at least one motion sensor acquires data relative tothe motion of a real-world element within the motion sensor field ofview. At least one of the motion sensing module and the control unitgenerates surface interaction data representative of a contact betweenthe real-world element and the interactive surface from the acquireddata relative to the motion of the real-world element within the motionsensor field of view. The control unit comprises a memory and aprocessor and generates graphic instructions and lighting instructionsbased on the surface interaction data and in accordance with animplementation of the gameplay of the interactive game. The projectionmodule receives the graphic instructions representing graphics to bedisplayed from the control unit. The projection module includes aprojector projecting the graphics on the interactive surface, inaccordance with the graphic instructions received from the control unit.The lighting module receives lighting instructions representing lightingto be performed from the control unit. The lighting module includes aplurality of stage lighting instruments and performs illumination of asection of the floor of the room, in accordance with the lightinginstruction received from the control unit.

In an embodiment, the graphics projected by the projection module andthe lighting performed by the lighting module are coordinated inaccordance with the implementation of the gameplay of the interactivegame.

In an embodiment, the interactive game system further comprises a soundmodule in data communication with the control unit, the control unitgenerating acoustic instructions and transmitting the acousticinstructions to the sound module and the sound module playing soundsaccording to the acoustic instructions received from the control unit.

In an embodiment, the acoustic instructions are generated based on thesurface interaction data. The sounds played by the sound module and thegraphics projected by the projection module are coordinated inaccordance with the implementation of the gameplay of the interactivegame.

In an embodiment, the plurality of stage lighting instruments areindependently controllable using the lighting instructions to illuminatethe desired section of the room.

In an embodiment, the lighting module comprises a DMX controller and thelighting module controls the plurality of stage lighting instrumentsusing a DMX lighting control protocol.

In an embodiment, the plurality of stage lighting instruments includes acombination of moving light fixtures and static light fixtures.

In accordance with another general aspect, there is further provided amethod for providing an interactive game in a room of a building, usingan interactive game system. The method comprises the steps of:generating surface interaction data representative of a contact betweena real-word element and an interactive surface defined along at least aportion of a wall of the room of the building; processing the surfaceinteraction data in accordance with an implementation of a gameplay ofthe interactive game implemented using the interactive game system;generating graphic instructions relative to graphics to be projected onthe interactive surface, based on the processed surface interactiondata, and projecting the graphics on the interactive surface accordingto the graphic instructions; and generating lighting instructions basedon the processed surface interaction data and performing lighting of asection of the room according to the lighting instructions,simultaneously with the projection of the graphics on the interactivesurface.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises generating acousticinstructions based on the processed surface interaction data and playingsounds according to the acoustic instructions.

In an embodiment, the step of generating lighting instructions andperforming the lighting includes projecting light according to anillumination span covering at least a portion of the room distinct fromthe interactive surface.

In an embodiment, the step of generating lighting instructions andperforming the lighting includes independently controlling each stagelighting instrument of the lighting module in accordance with thelighting instructions.

In an embodiment, the step of generating surface interaction datarepresentative of the contact between the real-world element and theinteractive surface includes sensing movement of the real-world objectwithin a motion sensor field of view intersecting with the interactivesurface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the components of an interactivegame system in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 1a is a schematic representation of the components of a motionsensor of the interactive game system of FIG. 1, in accordance with anembodiment

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the interactive game system of FIG. 1installed in a room of a building, in accordance with an embodimentwhere a single interactive surface is provided.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the interactive game system installedin a room of a building, in accordance with an embodiment where twointeractive surfaces are provided.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart, illustrating the steps of a method of operationof an interactive game system, in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, the same numerical references refer tosimilar elements. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materialsmentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in thepresent description are embodiments only, given solely forexemplification purposes.

Although the embodiments of the interactive game system andcorresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometricalconfigurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of thesecomponents and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken intheir restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to aperson skilled in the art, that other suitable components andcooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometricalconfigurations, may be used for the interactive game system, as will bebriefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by aperson skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated thatpositional descriptions such as “above”, “below”, “left”, “right” andthe like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context ofthe figures and should not be considered limiting.

Moreover, although the associated method of operation of the interactivegame system includes steps as explained and illustrated herein, not allof these steps are essential and thus should not be taken in theirrestrictive sense. It will be appreciated that the steps of the methoddescribed herein may be performed in the described order, or in anysuitable order.

Referring generally to FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance with one embodiment,there is provided an interactive game system 10. The interactive gamesystem 10 is designed and configured to provide an interactive gameexperience in at least a section of a large room 12, using aninteractive surface 14 (or interactive wall section). In an embodiment,the interactive surface 14 extends along a plane P defined by at least aportion of a wall 13 of the room 12 in which the interactive game system10 is installed (or substantially parallel thereto). For example, andwithout being limitative, in an embodiment, the interactive game system10 can be installed in a gymnasium of a school, a sport complex, or thelike, to provide an interactive immersive and interactive playground forchildren positioned in the gymnasium, with at least a section of onewall 13 of the room 12 being used as the interactive surface 14 of theinteractive game system 10. One skilled in the art will understand that,in alternative embodiments, the interactive game system 10, can also beinstalled in any other types of rooms having a sufficient dimension toprovide the desired immersive experience such as, for example andwithout being limitative, a common room, a training room, a hall, etc.In an embodiment, the interactive surface 14 has dimensions rangingbetween about 12 inches by 7 inches and about 19 feet by 11 feet. In analternative embodiment, the interactive surface 14 has dimensionsranging between about 8 feet by 4.5 feet and about 19 feet by 11 feet.

In the embodiment shown, the interactive game system 10 includes acontrol unit 20 (or controller), a projection module 30 (or projectionsource), a lighting module 40 (or light source), a sound module 50 (oracoustic source) and a motion sensing module 60 (or motion sensor). Inan alternative embodiment, the interactive game system 10 could howeverbe free of sound module 50.

In an embodiment, the control unit 20, the projection module 30, thelighting module 40, the sound module 50 and the motion sensing module 60are mounted to a ceiling of the room 12 in which they are installed(i.e. are mounted to a structure positioned above a floor of the room12, to ensure that they do not impede on the action of the users movingin the room 12). One skilled in the art will however understand that, inan alternative embodiment, at least one of the control unit 20, theprojection module 30, the lighting module 40, the sound module 50 andthe motion sensing module 60 could be positioned differently than theabove-mentioned mounting to the ceiling of the room 12 in which they areinstalled. For example, and without being limitative, at least one ofthe control unit 20 and the sound module 50 could be close to theground, for example in a periphery of the room 12 to minimize the impactof the components with the actions of the users moving in the room 12 toplay the interactive game. In another alternative embodiment, the atleast one of the control unit 20, the projection module 30, the lightingmodule 40, the sound module 50 and the motion sensing module 60 could beincluded in a portative device temporarily installable (or positionable)in the room 12 to allow the interactive game system 10 to be temporallyused for providing the immersive game experience in the room 12.

The projection module 30, lighting module 40, sound module 50 and motionsensing module 60 are connected to the control unit 20 (i.e. are in datacommunication with the control unit 20) to allow the control unit 20 tomanage the operation thereof and provide the desired interactive andimmersive game experience to the users in the room 12 through the inputsprovided by the motion sensing module 60 and the outputs provided by theprojection module 30, lighting module 40 and/or sound module 50.

One skilled in the art will understand that the data connection betweenthe control unit 20 and each one of the projection module 30, lightingmodule 40, sound module 50 and motion sensing module 60 can be any typeof connection which allows data transfer therebetween. For example, andwithout being limitative, in an embodiment, the connection between thecontrol unit 20 and the projection module 30, lighting module 40, soundmodule 50 and/or motion sensing module 60 is a wired connection. Oneskilled in the art will however understand that, in an alternativeembodiment, the connection between the control unit 20 and theprojection module 30, lighting module 40, sound module 50 and/or motionsensing module 60 can be a wireless connection, with the control unit 20and the corresponding one the projection module 30, lighting module 40,sound module 50 and/or motion sensing module 60 being provided withcommunication hardware (e.g. receiver/transceiver) to allow wirelessconnection therebetween. For example, and without being limitative, thecontrol unit 20 and the projection module 30, lighting module 40, soundmodule 50 and/or motion sensing module 60 could communicate over a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, awireless private area network (WPAN) or the like. One skilled in the artwill also understand that other types of wireless communication could beused. One skilled in the art will also understand that differentconnections or connection types can be provided between the control unit20 and each one of the projection module 30, lighting module 40, soundmodule 50 and motion sensing module 60.

In the embodiment shown, the control unit 20 is a single (standalone)computing device 21 in data communication with the projection module 30,lighting module 40, sound module 50 and/or motion sensing module 60. Thecomputing device 21 can include a memory 22 for storing instructions,data and the like and at least one processor 24 for processing data. Oneskilled in the art will understand that, in an alternative embodiment(not shown), the control unit 20 could include a combination of acentral computing device, connected to remote computing device(s), suchas server(s) or the like and communicating with one another over anetwork, such as, for example and without being limitative, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, or thelike. In another alternative embodiment, the control unit 20 could be aremote computing device, communicating with the projection module 30,lighting module 40, sound module 50 and/or motion sensing module 60 overa network, such as, for example and without being limitative, a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), such as the Internet, awireless private area network (WPAN) or the like.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 1 a and 2, the motion sensing module60 includes at least one motion sensor 62 having a motion sensor fieldof view 64 intersecting with the interactive surface 14. The at leastone motion sensor 62 is configured to sense motion of real-worldelements 15 within the motion sensor field of view 64 in order to detectthe occurrence and the position of a contact between each one of thereal world elements 21 and the interactive surface 14 (i.e. detect whena real world element 21 intersects with the plane P defining theinteractive surface 14 and detect the position of the real world element21 within the interactive surface 14, when such contact occurs). In viewof the above, in an embodiment, the data from the motion sensing module60 can be used to generate surface interaction data representative ofthe contact between the real-word elements and the plane P defining theinteractive surface 14. For example, and without being limitative, thesurface interaction data can include data relative to the occurrence ofa contact, the position (i.e. the coordinates) of the contact of thereal-world element 15 on the interactive surface, etc.

In the course of the present document, the term “real-word element” isunderstood to refer to any real-world object, person, or the like, whichcan be located within the field of view of the motion sensing module 60,or can temporarily enter the field of view of the motion sensing module60 and can contact (or intersect with) the interactive surface 14.

For example, and without being limitative, with reference to FIG. 1a inan embodiment, the motion sensing module 60 includes a KinectlM motionsensor 62 having a camera 66, an infrared emitter 67 and an infrareddepth sensor 68 cooperating to sense the movement of the real-worldelements 15 within the motion sensor field of view 64. One skilled inthe art will however understand that, in alternative embodiments (notshown), other form, type and/or model of motion sensor 62 could be used,such as sensor using time of Flight (ToF) technology, sensor usingstereo technology, etc. Hence, the motion sensor 62 could include adifferent combination of components than the camera 66, infrared emitter67 and infrared depth sensor 68 of the embodiment shown to acquire thedata relative to the motion of the real-world elements 15 within themotion sensor field of view 64, which is required to generate thesurface interaction data representative of the contact between thereal-world elements 15 and the interactive surface 14.

In an embodiment, the motion sensing module 60 can also include anyadditional software, hardware (memory, processor, etc.), or combinationthereof to generate the surface interaction data relative to a contactbetween real-world elements 15 and the interactive surface 14, from thedata relative to real-world movement of the real-world elements 15within the motion sensor field of view 64 thereof. One skilled in theart will however understand that, in an alternative embodiment, raw datarelative to motion of the real-world element 15 within the field of viewof the motion sensing module 60 could also be transferred to the controlunit 20, with the control unit 20 including the software, hardware, orcombination thereof to generate the surface interaction data relative tothe contact between the real-world elements 15 and the interactivesurface 14. In an embodiment, the motion sensing module 60 communicatesthe generated surface interaction data (or the raw data relative tomotion of the real-world element 15 within the field of view of themotion sensing module 60) to the control module 20 in real-time. For thesake of clarity, in the following description, only reference to theembodiment where the surface interaction data is generated at the motionsensing module 60 and transferred to the control module 20 will be made,keeping in mind that alternatively, the surface interaction data can begenerated at the control module 20, based on the data relative to motionof the real-world element 15 within the field of view of the motionsensing module 60 received therefrom.

In an embodiment, the motion sensing module 60 allows the generation ofsurface interaction data, without requiring any sensors being mounted onthe corresponding wall 13 of the room 12. In other words, the motionsensing module 60 is positioned away from the wall 13 of the room 12being used as interactive surface 14, with the motion sensor field ofview 64 of the motion sensing module 60 being directed towards the wall13 of the room 12 being used as interactive surface 14. The wall 13 usedto define the interactive surface 14 can therefore simply be aconventional wall 13 of the room 12 which is being used for theinteractive game. One skilled in the art will understand that, in analternative embodiment, at least a section of the floor, the ceiling orany other element located in the room 12 could also be used to definethe interactive surface 14. In the course of the present description,the term “wall” will however be used when referring to the structureused to define the interactive surface 14, in order to ease description.

In order to allow the capture of precise data by the motion sensingmodule 60 (and consequently generation of precise corresponding surfaceinteraction data), in an embodiment, the motion sensing module 60 isinitially calibrated to define the spatial position of the surfacedefining the interactive surface 14. In an embodiment, the calibrationdefines the plane P (i.e. the flat surface corresponding to the desiredsurface) along which contact with an element of the physical world is tobe detected. It will be understood that to perform the calibration ofthe motion sensing module 60, the dimensions of the interactive surface14 must previously be defined. In other words, in an embodiment. themotion sensing module 60 is calibrated to define a plane P correspondingto the plane extending between the previously defined coordinates (i.e.x, y and z positions) of the corners of the interactive surface 14. Inview of the above, it will be understood that in most cases, theinteractive surface 14 will substantially match the surface of acorresponding section of a wall 13 of the room 12 that is used to definethe interactive surface 14. However, in cases where, for example andwithout being limitative, the surface of the wall 13 is uneven, or wherethe coordinates (i.e. x, y and z positions) of the corner of theinteractive surface 14 are not positioned along a common wall surface,the interactive surface 14 (i.e. the plane P defined between the cornersof the interactive surface 14) could differ from the surface of thecorresponding wall 13.

In an alternative embodiment, the motion sensing module 60 could becalibrated to match the interactive surface 14 exactly with the surfaceof the corresponding wall (or section thereof), rather than by defininga plane common to the predefined corners of the interactive surface 14.

For example, and without being limitative, in an embodiment, the motionsensing module 60 can be configured to detect contacts between balls andthe interactive surface 14 (i.e. the motion sensing module 60 isconfigured to capture the exact position of contact of each one of theballs with the interactive surface 14). One skilled in the art willunderstand that, in an alternative embodiment, interactions between thephysical world and the interactive surface 14, different from theabove-mentioned ball contact, could also be detected by the motionsensing module 60 (e.g. a user touching the interactive surface 14, acontact between an object different from a ball and the interactivesurface 14, etc.), with the generated surface interaction data beingsubsequently transferred from the motion sensing module 60 to thecontrol unit 20.

As will be described in more details below, the control unit 20 canreceive the surface interaction data as user input from the user withinthe interactive game and perform processing of the surface interactiondata to subsequently control the projection module 30, lighting module40 and sound module 50 to implement the gameplay of the interactive gamein accordance with the surface interaction data received as user inputfrom the motion sensing module 60 (i.e. to generate the data relative tothe graphics, lighting and sound to be outputted to the user to allowsubsequent user interaction and representing the evolution of the userin the game being played in accordance with the game plot). In thecourse of the present application, the term “gameplay” is used to referto the way the game is played and includes the game plot defined by theevolutive sequence of action defining the interactive game and which theplayer goes through in the game, as the action of the game evolves.Hence, in the present application, the implementation of the “gameplay”encompasses the determination of the specific graphics, lighting and/orsound to be outputted in accordance with the game plot to provide thedesired immersive and interactive experience to the players.

The control unit 20 is configured to control at least one of theprojection module 30, the lighting module 40 and the sound module 50 inreal-time, based on the surface interaction data (i.e. based on theinput data from the motion sensing module 60 relative to real-worldelements 15 contacting the interactive surface 14), in order to providean interactive game experience.

In an embodiment, the control unit 20 runs a game engine 26 configuredto implement a predetermined gameplay, based on user interactions (oruser inputs) as defined by the surface interaction data input and outputthe data relative to the corresponding graphics, lighting and/or sound.The game engine 26 is stored in the memory 22 of the control unit 20 andincludes the necessary components to generate the required outputinstructions for implementing the gameplay (or game logic) (e.g. thegraphic display, lighting, sound, etc. required to allow the user tointeract and play the game). In an embodiment, the game engine includes,for example and without being limitative, a main game engineimplementing the gameplay instructions, a rendering engine generatingthe required graphic instructions, an audio engine generating therequired audio instructions, a lighting engine generating the requiredlighting instructions, a physics engine, etc. In other words, the gameengine generates graphic instructions, lighting instructions and/oracoustic instructions, for the control unit 20 to control the output ofthe projection module 30, the lighting module 40 and/or the sound module50 respectively, in accordance with the implementation of the gameplayof an interactive game. One skilled in the art will understand that, inan embodiment, several different interactive games could be played usingthe interactive game system 10, each interactive game having its owngameplay parameters. In an embodiment, the control unit 20 could accessa database including gameplay information regarding the correspondinginteractive game.

In an embodiment, the control unit 20 receives the surface interactiondata from the motion sensing module 60 in real-time and generates andtransmits output instructions to control at least one of the projectionmodule 30, the lighting module 40 and the sound module 50 also inreal-time. As mentioned above, in an alternative embodiment, the controlunit 20 could also receive raw data relative to real-world movementwithin the motion sensor field of view 64, with the control unit 20processing the data to generate the surface interaction data relative tocontact between the real-world element 15 and the interactive surface 14and subsequently generating and transmitting output instructions tocontrol at least one of the projection module 30, the lighting module 40and the sound module 50 in real-time in order to provide the desiredinteractive experience to the user.

In view of the above, in an embodiment, the control unit 20 generatesgraphic instructions as output to be transmitted to the projectionmodule 30 to project graphics (i.e. 2D or 3D graphics) on theinteractive surface 14. In an embodiment, the projection module 30includes a projector 32 having a projector field of view 34 intersectingwith the interactive surface 14, to display the desired graphics on theinteractive surface 14. One skilled in the art will understand that, inan alternative embodiment, the control unit 20 could include more thanone projector 32 or other display devices controlled by the control unit20 and capable of displaying graphics on the interactive surface 14. Asmentioned above, the graphic instructions relative to the graphics to bedisplayed by the projection module 30 result from the processing of thesurface interaction data generated using the motion sensing module 60,thereby producing an interactive graphic display for the users. In otherwords, the graphic instructions are generated based on the surfaceinteraction data, such that the graphic instructions are dependent ofthe real-world element 15 contacting the interactive surface 14, therebyproviding the interactivity between the real-world actions and providingthe evolution of the interactive game.

In an embodiment, the projection module 30 is also calibrated, accordingto the predetermined interactive surface 14, in order to provide aprecise clear and graphic display. A calibration similar to theabove-described calibration of the motion sensing module 60, to definethe spatial position of the surface defining the interactive surface 14,can therefore be performed for the projection module 30. Hence, a methodsimilar to the one described above for the motion sensing module 60 canbe performed. For example, and without being limitative, in anembodiment, the calibration defines the plane P (i.e. the flat surfacecorresponding to the desired surface) onto which the graphics are to bedisplayed. It will be understood that to perform the calibration of theprojection module 30, the dimension of the interactive surface 14 mustpreviously be defined such that the projection module 30 is calibratedto define a plane P corresponding to the plane extending between thepreviously defined coordinates (i.e. x, y and z positions) of thecorners of the interactive surface 14. In view of the above, it willonce again be understood that in most cases, the interactive surface 14onto which the graphics are to be displayed will substantially match thesurface of a corresponding section of a wall 13 of the room 12 that isused to define the interactive surface 14. In an embodiment, a colorcalibration of the projection module 30 can also be performed for thespecific conditions of the room 12 in which the interactive game system10 is installed.

In an embodiment, the control unit 20 also generates lightinginstructions as output to be transmitted to the lighting module 40, toilluminate the room 12 in which the interactive game is played. Thelighting module 40 has an illumination span 44 which can cover at leasta portion of the room 12, but which does not overlap with theinteractive surface 14, in order not to substantially impede on thequality and contrast of the graphics projected by the projection module30 on the interactive surface 14. For example and without beinglimitative, in an embodiment where the interactive surface 14 extendsalong a surface of a wall 13 of the room 12, the illumination span 44 ofthe lighting module 40 is limited to illumination of the floor 16 of theroom 12, in order to minimize the negative incidence of the lightingprovided by the lighting module 40 on the graphics projected by theprojection module 30 on the interactive surface 14.

In an embodiment, the lighting module 40 includes a plurality of stagelighting instruments 42 (or stage lighting fixtures) operatingsimultaneously and used in combination to illuminate the desired sectionof the room 12 in which the interactive game is played, in accordancewith the lighting instructions. For example, and without beinglimitative, in an embodiment, the lighting module 40 comprises betweenabout six and twenty stage lighting instruments 42. In an embodiment,the lighting module 40 comprises about eight LED stage lightinginstruments 42 of 180W each to illuminate a section of about thirty feetby thirty feet and about sixteen LED stage lighting instruments 42 of180W to illuminate a section of about sixty feet by thirty feet. In viewof the above, it will be understood that the quantity of stage lightinginstruments 42 depends on the size of the section of the room 12 to beilluminated by the lighting module 40 and that, therefore, inalternative embodiments, a quantity of stage lighting instruments 42different from the above-mentioned embodiment could be provided, forexample to light a larger section or smaller section of a room 12 thanthe above described embodiments.

In an embodiment, the plurality of stage lighting instruments 42includes a combination of moving light fixtures 42 a and static lightfixtures 42 b cooperating to provide the lighting of the correspondingsection of the room 12. For example, and without being limitative, in anembodiment where the lighting module 40 comprises about eight stagelighting instruments 42, the lighting module 40 can include two movinglight fixtures 42 a and six static light fixtures 42 b and in anembodiment where the lighting module 40 comprises about sixteen stagelighting instruments 42, the lighting module 40 can be four moving lightfixtures 42 a and twelve static light fixtures 42 b.

In an embodiment each one of the stage lighting instruments 42 of thelighting module 40 is independently controllable in accordance with theoutput lighting instructions produced by the control unit 20 (i.e. thetype, color, intensity, direction etc. of a light beam produced by eachstage lighting instrument 42 of the lighting module 40 can be controlledindependently). In other words, the lighting instructions produced bythe control unit 20 can relate to the lighting to be produced by eachone of the stage lighting instruments 42 of the lighting module 40independently. In the case of the moving light fixtures 42 a, themovement of the light beam produced by the stage lighting instrument 42can also be independently controlled, for example to provide movinglight, follow-spots, additional light for a precise portion of thesection being of the room being lighted, etc. Such moving light fixtures42 a thereby contribute to an enhanced luminous atmosphere provided bythe lighting module 40 for the interactive game.

The independent control of the plurality of stage lighting instruments42 can therefore be used to vary the colors and/or intensity of thelighting and/or display animated lighting sequences including, forexample and without being limitative, targeted color change, lighting ofspecific zones, punctual lighting effects, etc., which highly enhancethe immersive experience of the interactive game, in the room 12.

In an embodiment, to provide such individual control of the plurality ofstage lighting instruments 42, the lighting module 40 uses DMX (e.g. DMX512) as the lighting control protocol. In such an embodiment, each oneof the stage lighting instruments 42 has a DMX address and areinterlinked to each other and to the control unit 20 using DMX cables.In an embodiment, the lighting module 40 comprises a DMX controller 45and the game engine 26 of the control unit 20 includes a softwareinterface which supports communication with the DMX controller 45. Forexample, and without being limitative, in an embodiment, the DMXcontroller 45 is a DMX USB PRO controller from ENTTEC. In an embodiment,the DMX controller 45 is operative to receive the output lightinginstructions from the control unit 20 (i.e. from the game engine 26 ofthe control unit 10) and translate the lighting instructions into DMXinstructions, for independently controlling of the plurality of stagelighting instruments 42 of the lighting module 40.

One skilled in the art will however understand that, in an alternativeembodiment, other lighting control protocol allowing control of each oneof the stage lighting instruments 42 can be used.

In an embodiment, the illumination provided by the lighting module 40,according to the lighting instructions generated by the control unit 20,results from processing of the surface interaction data generated usingthe motion sensing module 60, thereby producing an interactiveillumination for the users. In other words, the lighting instructionsare generated based on processing of the surface interaction data, suchthat the lighting instructions are dependent on the real-world eventsrelated to the real-world elements 15 contacting the interactive surface14, thereby providing the interactivity between the real-world actionsand the illumination provided by the lighting module 40.

In view of the above, in an embodiment, the control unit 20 synchronizesthe graphics projected by the projection module 30 and the illuminationprovided by the lighting module 40 to provide an immersive experiencewhere the graphics and the illumination are complementary andcoordinated in accordance with the implementation of the gameplay of theinteractive game, as the game progresses. In an embodiment, the lightingmodule 40 could also include additional components (e.g. laser, fogmachines, etc.) used to provide special effects which are performedaccording to the implementation of the gameplay and complement theabove-mentioned graphics and/or illumination.

In an alternative embodiment, the illumination provided by the lightingmodule 40, according to the lighting instructions generated by thecontrol unit 20, could be independent from the surface interaction datagenerated using the motion sensing module 60, i.e. the lightinginstructions generated by the control unit 20 could be predetermined andbe independent from the interactions of the real-world element 15 withthe interactive surface 14. In such an embodiment, there is therefore nosync between the graphics projected by the projection module 30(according to the graphic instructions output generated by the controlunit 20) and the illumination provided by the lighting module 40(according to the lighting instructions output generated by the controlunit 20), while still providing an immersive experience where graphicsand illumination are provided in an interactive game played by users ina large room 12.

As mentioned above, one skilled in the art will understand that thelighting instructions could relate to the type, color, intensity, etc.of the lighting to be emitted by the lighting module 40, as well as to aspecific direction for each moving light fixture 42 a (i.e. the lightinginstructions could relate to a type, color, intensity, direction etc. ofa light beam for the illumination provided by each stage lightinginstrument 42 of the lighting module 40).

In an embodiment, the control unit 20 also generates acousticinstructions as output to be transmitted to the sound module 50, to playsounds. In an embodiment, the sound module 50 includes a plurality ofspeakers which are used to play the sounds. In the course of the presentdescription the term “sounds” is used to refer to any emitted vibrations(or propagated soundwave) that can be heard and interpreted whenreaching a person's ear, such as, for example, individual noises, music,etc.

Once again, in an embodiment, the acoustic instructions relative to thesounds to be played by the sound module 50 result from processing of thesurface interaction data generated using the motion sensing module 60,thereby producing an interactive auditive environment for the users. Inother words, the acoustic instructions are generated based on thesurface interaction data, which indicates that the acoustic instructionsare dependent on the real-world events related to the real-worldelements 15 contacting the interactive surface 14, thereby providing theinteractivity between the real-world actions and the sounds played bythe interactive game system 10.

In view of the above, in an embodiment, the control unit 20 synchronizesthe graphic projected by the projection module 30, the illuminationprovided by the lighting module 40 and the sound played by the soundmodule 50, to provide an immersive experience where the graphics, theillumination and the sounds are complementary and coordinated to matchthe implementation of the gameplay of the interactive game, as the gameprogresses. As mentioned above, one skilled in the art will howeverunderstand that, in an embodiment, the interactive game system 10 couldbe free of sound module 50, with the immersive experience being ratherprovided by the combination of the graphics and the illumination beingcomplementary and coordinated to match the implementation of thegameplay of the interactive game.

In an alternative embodiment, the sounds played by the sound module 50,according to the acoustic instructions, could also be independent fromthe surface interaction data generated using the motion sensing module60, i.e. the acoustic instructions generated by the control unit 20could be predetermined and be independent from the interaction of thereal-world element 15 with the interactive surface 14. In such anembodiment, there is therefore no sync between the sound played by thesound module 50 and the graphic projected by the projection module 30and/or the illumination provided by the lighting module 40, while stillproviding an immersive experience where sound, large scale graphics andillumination of the room are provided.

One skilled in the art will understand that the acoustic instructionscould relate to the nature of the sounds to be played by the soundmodule 50 as well as to a specific acoustic direction in which thesounds are to be played, i.e. a direction of an acoustic beam for thesounds to be played by each one of the speakers 52 of the sound module50.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 3 wherein the features arenumbered with reference numerals in the 100 series which correspond tothe reference numerals of the previous embodiments, the interactive gamesystem 110 could include two interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b. In suchan embodiment, the two interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b could be facingone another, but one skilled in the art will understand that they couldalso be at an angle relative to one another.

In such an embodiment, each one of the motion sensing module 160 and theprojection module 130 are configured to have a respective motion sensorfield of view 164 and a projector field of view 134, intersecting witheach one of the interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b, to generate surfaceinteraction data representative of contact between the real-worldelements 115 and the planes P defining the interactive surfaces 114 a,114 b, and for projecting the graphics on each one of the interactivesurfaces 114 a, 114 b. In other words, the motion sensing module 160includes a first motion sensor 162 a oriented towards a firstinteractive surface 114 a, and a second motion sensor 162 b orientedtowards a second interactive surface 114 b and the projection module 130includes at least a first projector 132 a oriented towards the firstinteractive surface 114 a and at least a second projector 132 b orientedtowards the second interactive surface 114 b. In an embodiment, thegraphics projected on the interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b are the samefor each one of the interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b. One skilled inthe art will however understand that, in an alternative embodiment, thegraphics projected on the interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b could bedifferent for each one of the interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 b. Oneskilled in the art will also understand that, in an alternativeembodiment (not shown) more that two interactive surfaces 114 a, 114 bcould be provided.

An interactive game system 10 in accordance with an embodiment havingbeen described above, there will now be described a method for operationof such a system or, in other words, a method for providing aninteractive game to users, using an interactive game system 10.

With reference to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, the method includes theinitial step 280 of generating surface interaction data representativeof a contact between a real-world element and at least one interactivesurface. In an embodiment, the surface interaction data can be generatedby a motion sensing module and be communicated in real-time to a controlunit in data communication therewith. In an alternative embodiment, thesurface interaction data can be generated by the control unit, based onraw data relative to motion of a real-world element within the field ofview of the motion sensing module and communicated to the control unitin real-time.

In view of the above, in an embodiment wherein the step of generatingsurface interaction data representative of a contact between areal-world element and at least one interactive surface includes sensingmovement of the real-world element within a motion sensor field of viewintersecting with the interactive surface.

As mentioned above, in an embodiment, each one of the at least oneinteractive surface is a large surface defined by at least a portion ofa wall of a room in which the interactive game is provided. In anembodiment, each one of the at least one interactive surface is a planesurface defined by at least the portion of a wall of a room in which theinteractive game is provided.

The method also includes the step 282 of processing (or interpreting)the surface interaction data according to a gameplay of an interactivegame implemented using the interactive game system.

The method further includes the step 284 of generating graphicinstructions to be projected on at least one interactive surface, basedon the processed surface interaction data and according to thepredetermined implementation of the gameplay of the interactive game. Inother words, this step allows the display of graphics representingprogress of the interactive game, in accordance with the predeterminedimplementation of the gameplay, in response to the detected contactsbetween the real-world element and the interactive surface. In anembodiment, the graphics are generated by a game engine of the controlunit and are communicated in real-time to the projection module, forprojection thereof on the at least one interactive surface.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step 286 of generatinglighting instructions based on the processed surface interaction dataand according to the predetermined implementation of the gameplay of theinteractive game and implementing the lighting instructions using thelighting module. In other words, this step allows generating lightinginstructions and providing illumination of a section of the room, whichis complementary to the graphics displaying progress of the interactivegame, in accordance with the predetermined implementation of thegameplay, in response to the detected contact between the real-worldelement and the interactive surface. In an embodiment, the lightinginstructions are generated by the game engine of the control unit andare communicated in real-time to the lighting module, such that thestage lighting instruments thereof can produce the desired illuminationof the room (or specific section thereof).

In an embodiment, the step of generating and implementing the lightingincludes projecting light according to an illumination span covering atleast a portion of the room and which does not overlap with theinteractive surface.

In an embodiment, the step of generating and implementing the lightingincludes independently controlling each stage lighting instrument of thelighting module.

In an embodiment, the method further includes the step 288 of generatingacoustic instructions based on the processed surface interaction dataand according to the predetermined implementation of the gameplay of theinteractive game and implementing the acoustic instructions using thesound module. In other words, this step allows generating acousticinstructions and playing sounds complementary to the graphics and/orillumination representing progress in the interactive game, inaccordance with the predetermined implementation of the gameplay, inresponse to the detected contact between the real-world element and theinteractive surface. In an embodiment, the acoustic instructions aregenerated by the game engine of the control unit and are communicated inreal-time to the sound module, such that the speakers thereof can playthe sounds in the room (or in a specific acoustic direction in theroom).

Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described andillustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above areintended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the artwould appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and thepossible combinations and variations of the components. A person ofordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of theembodiments could be provided in any combination with the otherembodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention may beembodied in other specific forms without departing from the centralcharacteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments,therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and notrestrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details givenherein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have beenillustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. Thescope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by thescope of the appended claims.

1. An interactive game system for implementing an interactive game in aroom of a building, the interactive game system comprising: a motionsensing module sensing movement of a real-wold element within a motionsensor field of view intersecting with an interactive surface includinga plane extending substantially along at least a portion of a wall ofthe room of the building, with surface interaction data representativeof a contact between the real-world element and the interactive surfacebeing generated therefrom; a control unit in data communication with themotion sensing module, the control unit being configured to process thesurface interaction data and generate graphic instructions and lightinginstructions, in accordance with an implementation of a gameplay of theinteractive game; a projection module in data communication with thecontrol unit and receiving the graphic instructions therefrom, thegraphic instructions being generated based on the processed surfaceinteraction data, the projection module projecting graphics on theinteractive surface according to the graphic instructions received fromthe control unit; and a lighting module in data communication with thecontrol unit and receiving the lighting instructions therefrom, thelighting module performing illumination of a section of the roomdistinct from the interactive surface, the illumination being performedaccording to the lighting instruction received from the control unit. 2.The interactive game system of claim 1, wherein the lightinginstructions are generated based on the surface interaction data, thegraphics projected by the projection module and the lighting performedby the lighting module being coordinated in accordance with theimplementation of the gameplay of the interactive game.
 3. Theinteractive game system of claim 1, further comprising a sound module indata communication with the control unit and receiving acousticinstructions therefrom, the sound module playing sounds according to theacoustic instructions received from the control unit.
 4. The interactivegame system of claim 3, wherein the acoustic instructions are generatedbased on the surface interaction data, the sounds played by the soundmodule and the graphics projected by the projection module beingcoordinated in accordance with the implementation of the gameplay of theinteractive game.
 5. The interactive game system of claim 1, wherein thelighting module comprises a plurality of stage lighting instrumentsoperating independently to illuminate the desired section of the room.6. The interactive game system of claim 5, wherein the lighting modulecomprises a DMX controller and wherein the lighting module controls theplurality of stage lighting instruments using a DMX lighting controlprotocol.
 7. The interactive game system of claim 5, wherein theplurality of stage lighting instruments includes a combination of movinglight fixtures and static light fixtures.
 8. The interactive game systemof claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a memory and a processor,the control unit having a game engine stored in the memory andconfigured to implement a predetermined gameplay, based on userinteractions defined by the surface interaction data, the game enginegenerating the graphic instructions and the lighting instructions.
 9. Aninteractive game system for implementing an interactive game in a roomhaving a wall and a floor, the interactive game system comprising: amotion sensing module including at least one motion sensor having amotion sensor field of view intersecting with an interactive surfaceextending substantially along a section of the wall of the room, the atleast one motion sensor acquiring data relative to the motion of areal-world element within the motion sensor field of view; a controlunit in data communication with the motion sensing module, the controlunit comprising a memory and a processor and at least one of the motionsensing module and the control unit generating surface interaction datarepresentative of a contact between the real-world element and theinteractive surface from the acquired data relative to the motion of thereal-world element within the motion sensor field of view, the controlunit generating graphic instructions and lighting instructions based onthe surface interaction data and in accordance with an implementation ofthe gameplay of the interactive game; a projection module in datacommunication with the control unit and receiving the graphicinstructions therefrom, the graphic instructions representing graphicsto be displayed, the projection module including a projector projectingthe graphics on the interactive surface, in accordance with the graphicinstructions received from the control unit; and a lighting module indata communication with the control unit and receiving lightinginstructions therefrom, the lighting instructions representing lightingto be performed, the lighting module including a plurality of stagelighting instruments and performing illumination of a section of thefloor of the room, in accordance with the lighting instruction receivedfrom the control unit.
 10. The interactive game system of claim 9,wherein the graphics projected by the projection module and the lightingperformed by the lighting module are coordinated in accordance with theimplementation of the gameplay of the interactive game.
 11. Theinteractive game system of claim 9, further comprising a sound module indata communication with the control unit, the control unit generatingacoustic instructions and transmitting the acoustic instructions to thesound module, the sound module playing sounds according to the acousticinstructions received from the control unit.
 12. The interactive gamesystem of claim 11, wherein the acoustic instructions are generatedbased on the surface interaction data, the sounds played by the soundmodule and the graphics projected by the projection module beingcoordinated in accordance with the implementation of the gameplay of theinteractive game.
 13. The interactive game system of claim 9, whereinthe plurality of stage lighting instruments are independentlycontrollable using the lighting instructions to illuminate the desiredsection of the room.
 14. The interactive game system of claim 13,wherein the lighting module comprises a DMX controller and wherein thelighting module controls the plurality of stage lighting instrumentsusing a DMX lighting control protocol.
 15. The interactive game systemof claim 9, wherein the plurality of stage lighting instruments includesa combination of moving light fixtures and static light fixtures.
 16. Amethod for providing an interactive game in a room of a building, usingan interactive game system, the method comprising the steps of:generating surface interaction data representative of a contact betweena real-word element and an interactive surface defined along at least aportion of a wall of the room of the building; processing the surfaceinteraction data in accordance with an implementation of a gameplay ofthe interactive game implemented using the interactive game system;generating graphic instructions relative to graphics to be projected onthe interactive surface, based on the processed surface interactiondata, and projecting the graphics on the interactive surface accordingto the graphic instructions; and generating lighting instructions basedon the processed surface interaction data and performing lighting of asection of the room according to the lighting instructions,simultaneously with the projection of the graphics on the interactivesurface.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising generatingacoustic instructions based on the processed surface interaction dataand playing sounds according to the acoustic instructions.
 18. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the step of generating lighting instructionsand performing the lighting includes projecting light according to anillumination span covering at least a portion of the room distinct fromthe interactive surface.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step ofgenerating lighting instructions and performing the lighting includesindependently controlling each stage lighting instrument of the lightingmodule in accordance with the lighting instructions.
 20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the step of generating surface interaction datarepresentative of the contact between the real-world element and theinteractive surface includes sensing movement of the real-world objectwithin a motion sensor field of view intersecting with the interactivesurface.